This chapter is brought to you in part by, the city of Flint, Michigan. #3 in violence. #2 in unemployment. And #1 in potholes.

Also proud to live in the, USA... A country that is owned by evil corporations. Maintained by alcoholics. And run by carnies...

Hide & Seek

Local International House of Pancakes, 10:00 AM.
Edward & Lust sit at a window seat across from one another. Ed eating a stack of pancakes with bacon all the while keeping his right hand out of sight as Lust sipped away at her hottle of coffee. "Edward, that's your sixth helping of pancakes. Don't you think you've had enough?" She asked concernedly. "I can't help it, I'm hungry... Besides, I'm running on a sandwich & a big gulp from last night." He answered as he used his fork to cut through his meal. "How's the coffee?" He asked.

"Not bad, but what is with this mug? This is enough coffee for ten people... What were they thinking?" She asked, somewhat on edge from the strength of the morning brew. "Edward?" She asked as he reached for the bottle of boysenberry syrup with his left hand. "What, something on your mind?" He asked, taking notice to the timid look in her eyes. "It's nothing... Nevermind." She replied, looking at her reflection in her coffee mug. "Well, if you want to talk later, we can... If you feel like it." He added as he drowned his pancakes with almost a third of the bottle.

Betteravia, 10:30 AM.
"Hey Wrath, find anything useful on that thing?" Thunderwing asked, walking up to the young boy. "Well, for one... You're famous now." He replied, turning the laptop around. "Crap!" He exclaimed, seeing the photo of him hovering over the USC campus with the headline above that read, "UFO over USC. Friend or Foe?" Wrath turns the laptop to face him again. "Also found a lot fun stuff out there. Like this game called, World of Warcraft... I made a few friends playing that." He stated proudly. "That's nice." Thunderwing stated, not impressed by Wrath's few discoveries & goes back to work on Edward's new arm..

"Can I ask you something?" Wrath asked. "Sure kid... What's on your mind?" He replied as he worked on the elbow joint. "What did you use to do? You know... Before you became what you are." Wrath asked, patiently waiting for an answer. "Are you asking me or Thunderwing?" He asked, looking back at the boy. "Just you." Wrath replied. "Well, before I took this body for a joy ride, I was an assassin." He replied as he returned to his work. "Cool... Did you kill a lot of people?" He asked excitedly. "Yes... And a lot of them were bad people too." Thunderwing replied as his focus to the wrist joint of Ed's new arm.

"How'd you do it?" Wrath asked, setting the laptop off to the side. "Well, I use shadows as my weapon. For example, if I were to step onto your shadow on the ground, I can make multiple daggers pop out stab you to death by my will or I could even use my own shadow to do the same thing as well... And that's how I got my name." He answered, noticing Wrath sitting almost in awe. "Can you still do any of that?" Wrath asked. "Nope... Lost that when I took this body. But in the end, I guess it makes some sense." He answered before turning to face him. "C'mer for a bit, I need your help with the hand. Besides, you should know how all this works just in case something happens to me or something."

Wrath was surprised by the request, but complied. Wondering why he was being nice to him since he threatened his life earlier. He drags the chair he was sitting in & uses it to stand on so he would be able to see the work before him. "Your hands are smaller, so you'll be able to do the small stuff better than I can at this moment." Thunderwing added as he showed the blueprint of what he wanted. "Are you serious about this? He's gonna get mad when he finds out you build in all these weapons." Wrath said, taking note of the design schematics. "Well, since alchemy doesn't work here, he needs something to offset that handicap" Thunderwing added before getting to work.

Town Center Mall, 11:30 AM.
Edward & Lust look around in awe at the large building as the walk through the many different stores that lie inside the large mall. "This place is huge. You can almost spend half a day in here." Ed stated before taking his red overcoat off & throws it over his shoulder. He looked over to Lust, a small smile crosses his face as he listened for an opinion of some sort. "Would you care if I explored on my own for a little while?" She asked. "Not if you wouldn't mind if I did the same?" He asked. They decided to part ways for a short while to do their "personal" shopping that each had in mind for the day.

Ed walked a short path between the line of stores making his way towards the store called "Macy's" in search of new clothes. He walks to the "Mens" area & quickly sees a black leather overcoat. He sets his red coat on top of the display rack & tries the black coat. He likes how it seems to look on him & decides to purchase it. He searches for a shirt & a pair of pants that might work with the coat, along with something for Wrath to make him blend into society.

As he begins to make his way to the checkout area when he comes across the jewelry counter. He thinks back to the time she took care of his brother while he was in the hospital & decides to get her something nice. He finishes purchasing his new wardrobe & walks out wearing his new overcoat. He packs is red coat into his shopping bag & walks out of the store. It was half past twelve as he made his way back to the center of the complex when he approaches a jewelry store to his right. He walks inside & looks over some of the display items behind the shatterproof case.

"May I help you, Sir?" The man behind the counter asked, startling Ed. "Um, yeah. I'm looking for a coupe of gifts & maybe a trade offer." Ed replied. "I'm sorry, Sir. We don't do trades... I could help appraise something for you. It was a profession of mine not too long ago." He stated. Ed reaches into his left pocket & grabs the locket. He presents it the middle-aged man behind the counter, taking note of the gentleman's reaction. "This is a very interesting piece of jewelry... I don't think I've ever seen craftsmanship like this. It's quiet attractive, really." He stated. "It's also a locket." Ed added, grabbing the man's attention. He opens it & discovers the small strand of hair inside. "Oh, seems to have some debris inside." He said as he removes the hair & disposes it into the trash, making Ed grin slightly to the sight. "Well, that was easy."

"Well, tell you what I'm willing to do... I don't normally do this, but since you're thinking of buying a couple of items & since you look honest. I'll take this as a $50 dollar credit toward your first purchase." He stated. "Okay, um... how about that purple cross?" Ed asked. The man reaches down & into the glass counter & presents the small item to Ed. "This is a amethyst & pink tourmaline pendent with a 10kt white gold chain. Our price, $276 dollars." Ed rather liked it. The pink gems at the points of the cross matched Lust's eyes. "Okay, I'll take that & the one with the blue gem." Ed said, pointing to the other necklace.

The Men brought out the necklace & Ed looked at it in attention. "This is a blue topaz with ten small diamonds around outline the gem with small cut blue topaz gems at the corners. And this comes with a 10kt white gold chain. Our price is $292 dollars." The man stated. Ed nods in agreement follows through with the purchase. "Here you go... Enjoy the rest of your day & thank you for shopping at Fred Meyer." The man said as Ed took the two small boxes & placed them into the pocket of his new coat. "Thanks, I appreciate the help." Ed said before walking out.

It was now close to one in the afternoon as he walks back to the center of the store. He walks over to a nearby bench & waits patiently for Lust to return. He sits down & watches the hustle & bustle of the crowd go from store to store as young ladies walked by smiling & winking at him. He waves & smiles nervously, not know how to deal with flattery since he has minimal experience. He looks down at the tile floor, keeping his attention diverted from the people walking by. He thinks back to everything that happened before they arrived in this world & begins to question as to why they were sent there? Is there a problem or is this their punishment for all the things they've done?

His train of thought broke as a familiar voice called out his name. "Edward? Edward, where are you?" Thunderwing voice rang through Edward's watch. "Keep your voice down. We're in a public place." Ed whispered into his watch before standing & walking over to a nearby pay-phone with his shopping bag. "Sorry... I have your arm & leg finished. I'm on my way to pick you & Lust up. So, find a place that is discreet." He said. "Great, but I don't think Lust is done shopping yet." Ed added. "Yes I am." She stated, forcing Ed to turn in a startled fashion. "Damn, you scared the shit out of me!" He said, grabbing his chest. "I know... I have that affect on people." She sighed.

"I'll arrive at your location in about thirty seconds. So, find a dark corner or something." He stated, just as Lust suddenly developed a feeling of uneasiness that seem to surround her. She looked from the corner of her eyes & noticed the area around them was surrounded by several men in dark clothing & trench coats. "Edward, I'm beginning to doubt that we have thirty seconds." She noted, bring them to his attention. "Excuse me, Sir." One of the men to Ed's right said as he approached them slowly. Lust narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling rather threatened by this particular uniformity of these individuals.

"Who are you people?" Ed asked. "We're with the National Security Agency. I'm requesting the two of you to come with us." He said as he held out a pair of handcuffs, grabbing the attention of those around them. "Sorry, maybe another time." Ed said just as a yellow cylinder suddenly surround him & Lust before fading away. The agent calmly reaches into his inside pocket to retrieve his cellphone. "It's me... Targets are lost. Begin operation, Delta... Send in the Boomers."

Betteravia, 1:30 PM.
A dark grey sedan roams slowly through the quiet & dusty streets of the old refinery. It stops at a pile of rubble & broken equipment facing the five yellow buildings off to the distance. "Are you sure this is a good idea, Chief? I mean, my buddy told me this area is hot." Havoc stated as he checked the laser sight on his 9mm gun. "I know this is a risk, but I feel that if this thing & those following it wanted to do any serious damage. They would've done it by now..." Mustang said, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "Personally, I wish I had a weapon that had a little more punch then this. Like a fifty caliper BMG or something." Havoc added.

They sat by & waited patiently as the minutes ticked away. Thunderwing suddenly appeared & began to transform in midair to his robot form. He lands with a thunderous thump, seeming the shake the ground around him. "Holy shit, look at the size of that thing!" Havoc shouted. "There is no way, that thing is the same thing from the bank." Mustang added. Yellow lightning cracks violently around the large mechanical beast as their eyes opened widely, seeing its size quickly reduce before them. "Okay... Maybe it is the same one." Mustang added.

The group walks into the large barn & sees Wrath playing on the laptop with a light smile on his face. "Enjoying yourself, kid?" Thunderwing asked, tossing him a white paper bag that had a label on the front which read, "Burger King." Wrath reached inside to grab his box of fries. "How'd your date go?" He asked before filling his mouth with fries. Ed nearly jumped out of his shoes at the question. "What?! All we did was have breakfast together... That's all... I-It's not like we did anything." Lust just looked at him calmly, setting the shopping bags down onto the table. "Calm down, Romeo. We're just picking on you... Besides, I'm sure you can have any woman you want." Thunderwing stated, patting Ed's back.

Ed just looks down at the floor out of frustration as Lust looks at the large robot with a glaring stare. "Alright Ed, take your coat off. Time for your new arm & leg." He said, watching Ed comply taking off his new overcoat & flask jacket, but keeping his muscle shirt on. He folds them neatly & sets them next the bags. "How's the brain working since you made the deal with the Gate?" He asked, walking over to Wrath & motions him to move, so that he may sit. He reluctantly moves to the floor with his meal & computer, freeing the seat for Ed. "Great. Having access to the scientific knowledge that this big lug has is very helpful." Thunderwing answered as he knelt down & began to disconnect the wires to Ed's nerves before unlocking the gears in his shoulder to free his arm.

He couldn't help but flinch at the slight twinge of paid that shot through his upper body. He rises to his feet & walks to the table to gather Ed's new limbs. Ed lifts his left pant leg to access the connection point. Thunderwing walks over with his new limbs & kneels down, setting Ed's new arm in his lap while he attaches his new leg first. Ed couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship & effort he put into the work. Especially, in such a short amount of time. The new limbs looked smooth & virtually seamless. Looking very close to his real limbs, except for the fact that their made of metal.

Thunderwing finishes locking Ed's new leg into place. He stands to his feet & motions for Lust to approach him before turning his attention back to Edward. "Tell me, how much pain do you feel when your arm is changed out?" He asked. "A lot... I remember the first time around, I actually past out from the pain." Ed replied, looking down at the floor. "Well, then I'll make this quick." He stated back, grabbing the new arm from Ed's lap. Holding it in his left hand & bracing Ed's shoulder with his right, noticing his expression change from calm to dread as he looked away & braced himself.

He shuts his eyes & screams out the top of his lungs as the pinion gears locked inside. He hunches down slightly, holding the right side of his neck as the pain continued to shoot through the area near his shoulder. Lust walks to the back of Ed's chair & placed her hands on the base of his neck & began to gently massage the area. "Well, nice to see you have a 'magic touch' to him." Thunderwing said, noticing Edward's body relax from the pain. Wrath finished his meal & was about to walk outside.

"Hold on kid, I need your help." He stated, handing the boy an allen wrench & pointing to a screw at the base of the thigh where the new leg connects to the thigh joint. "Ed, we're going to connect the nerves. Brace yourself... Three, two, one... Go." He & Wrath turn their keys in unison, noticing Ed tense up at the sudden shock to his body once more. The joints emitted a light blue glow, showing a "powered-up" effect. "The lights are very pretty & all. But are they necessary, let alone useful?" Lust asked, but Thunderwing only gave a mischievous smile & folding his arms.

"I'm beginning to think, you enjoy causing me pain." He said wearily, seeing Lust smiling lightly at him from behind as he look up toward the ceiling. Wrath takes the opportunity to walk outside & looks up to the now cloudy sky, feeling the light warm breeze run through his hair before turning his attention to the main road off to his right, in the distance & noticed that there hasn't been any traffic in a short while. Being as quiet as it is, it allows him to listen for things that don't seem to be natural. Being a homunculus does have its advantages. He suddenly sees a grey helicopter in the distance that seemed to be approaching them.

He hurries back into the building & shouts out in a panic. "Hey, we got company coming!" Ed rolled his pant leg down & stood to his feet & runs to the table to grab his coat as Thunderwing walks to the door to peer outside. "This might get ugly..." Wrath looks outside & sees a small green tank with a small turquoise that was hauling a large cannon on the back. "Might?" Wrath said worriedly as Ed & Lust join them to see what was outside. "Kinda small, aren't they?" Ed asked. "Size doesn't matter when you deal out the same amount of damage as your larger counterpart... Curious though." Thunderwing replied.

The action outside catches Mustang & Havoc's attention as they see a large flatbed truck with a pair of large cannons mounted on the back drive down the dirt road next to them, followed by a yellow jeep. "Chief, did I just see a jeep drive down the road with no driver?" Havoc asked as Mustang looked in the rear view mirror & saw a large green tank with a pair of cannons mounted on its back. Its main gun barrel pointed in their direction. "Havoc, RUN!" They quickly exited the vehicle as the tank fired, diving for cover as their car is destroyed with a thunderous explosion.

"Well, I think this is our time to leave." Thunderwing stated after seeing the large fireball in the distance. The helicopter lands & transforms as a brown space shuttle lands just next to it & changes into a robot form as well. "Get back." Thunderwing ordered before yellow lightning started to crack around him & his stature began to grow. The armored vehicles took aim & began to fire. Violent & thunderous explosions rock the area. Neighboring buildings collapsed due to the concussional shock of detonation from the high-powered weaponry. The large tank pulled up alongside the flatbed truck as the yellow jeep transforms behind the pack with a proud smirk on his face.

"We may not have had the element of surprise, but at least we took'em down without any problem." He stated watching the flames dance across the area. "In war Swindle, it is not wise to underestimate your opponent, until you see they are not going to get back up." The truck replied before changing to his robot form. Notably the tallest of the group. "Well, if you ask me. I think they overrated this guy." The tank stated.

"I'm almost incline to agree with you, Brawl. But, the boss has told us, this was the destroyer of Cybertron. Do not take 'it' lightly." A small blue transformer stated as he approached his larger comrades with two other machines similar to him. "Well, Barricade. You & your 'Micromaster' buddies can go back to your little base now... Not like you did much." Brawl said, waving his hand in an unflattering gesture. "Fine... But listen, you might want to heath Onslaught's warning." He stated before turning to walk away.

(Begin soundtrack: P.O.D. Boom)

A pair of wings emerge from the flames, followed by the body that they were attached to. The monstrous, Thunderwing turns to face his attackers, fanning the flames with his wings as he turns, all with a sinister smile on his face. Black lightning begins to crack off of his body as the ground begins to shake. He throws his arms out, screaming in angered fury as bluish/white dome of energy surrounds him, sending chunks of debris in all directions. Those below normal size were instantly blown back without warning.

"Combaticons... Quickly merge into, Burticus!" Onslaught's orders are carried out as Swindle becomes the right leg while Brawl became the left. The brown shuttle, Blastoff changes to be the right arm as the helicopter, Vortex becomes the left. A large silver shield covers the monstrous robot's chest as Onslaught's head is replaced by a larger silver helmet. The lighted dome fades as Thunderwing stands tall & makes a low growl in the pit of his throat as he cracks his knuckles. "You challenge, Bruticus... Bruticus will crush!" He makes a mad dash for the winged monster that faced him.

He attempts to strike Thunderwing's face with his right fist, but was blocked by Thunderwing's left arm & countered with a right hook of his own, damaging the left eye wall & breaking the glass shielding. Bruticus reals from the attack, holding the side of his head. "You hurt Bruticus. Bruticus angry!" He makes another short dash & tackles Thunderwing, forcing him to the ground. He punches Thunderwing's face with his right fist, but showed little damage. Thunderwing quickly grasps Bruticus by the throat with his right hand & rolls over to be on top & rises to his feet, his hand still clenching Bruticus' neck. He places his left hand around his neck before lifting him off his back & his feet off the ground.

"You are strong, that I'll admit. But when united, you think with your fists. Which is undoubtedly bigger than your collective brains... Brute power may be your strength, but the lack of intelligence to use it properly is your weakness..." Black lightning cracks off his body & begins to surge through & around Bruticus'. He struggles to free himself, but to little avail as sparks & pops are seen & heard emanating from his joints & combiner connections. Thunderwing forcefully tosses him to the ground, forcing Bruticus to separate back into his five component individuals. They lie on the ground motionless, their eyes dim of light, show a sign of unconsciousness.

"That went well... The boss is gonna be pissed about this." Barricade stated, folding his arms in disgust as he watched the whole scene from a distance with his other patrol members. Ground Hog looks around at destruction, not believing what he or the others have witnessed. "Well, there's no way we can take on something like this. We may want to call for more bigger guns."

(End soundtrack.)

"Hey, I see some spectators down below." Motorhead said, pointing to Mustang & Havoc who were seeking refuge between a small patch of trees. Barricade ignored his finding as he held a finger to the side of his head. "Forget them. Fireshot & Vanquish have reported the U.S. military is on-route to this location... It's time for us to leave." He said before changing to a small formula-one race car as the others changed to their respective forms & driving away at top speed. Direct-hit, Power Punch & Bombshock take the moment to retreat themselves, seeing that the battle was now a lost cause.

Thunderwing stands with his arm folded as he looks down his battered enemies when a foreign transmission suddenly catches his attention. Inside the cockpit, the message that captured Thunderwing's attention, gained Ed & company's as well. Seeing the message in a computer typing fashion. "This is URGENT... Please head to Arno Isle in the Marshall Islands. We can explain everything... The area will be secured. Jamming stations will block local radar detection... we'll be waiting." The message was signed with the classic Autobot symbol. Ed couldn't help but feel skeptical by wondering if this wasn't a trap of sorts.

"What do you guys think?" Thunderwing asked through the console in front of Edward. "Anywhere is better than here for the moment." Lust answered, folding her arms. "I have to agree... Might as well try. If it's a trap, we'll just have to deal with it as it happens, I guess." Ed added, still feeling uncomfortable from the additions of his new limbs. Wishing he could just have a nap right at this moment.

Thunderwing's engines ignite, lifting him off the ground before changing to his jet form & taking off to the cloud covered sky. Ed leaned his head back & closed his eyes. He felt relieved that he now has the chance to relax before he has the chance to die again. The thought that there may be some friends in this world is worthy of some scant comfort, but quickly dissolves at the thought of the Decepticons being here as well. Plus, the idea of Envy still lurking out in the world is also another uncomfortable notion.